22 photos that tell the story of Project Healthy Minds' 2023 World Mental Health Day Festival & Inaugural Gala

On October 10, more than 1,500 advocates and leaders joined Project Healthy Minds’ 2nd annual World Mental Health Day Festival at Hudson Yards in New York City. Later that evening, we held our inaugural gala at Spring Studios.

Thanks to everyone who joined us! Here are 22 photos that tell the story of the day.‍

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Emmy Award-winning content creator Timm Chiusano, ultra-marathoner Kelly Chiusano, Founder & CEO of Visionary Music Group Chris Zarou, and the Project Healthy Minds New York City Marathon Team kicked off the day with an energizing jog.

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NBC’s Carson Daly interviewed Project Healthy Minds Founder & CEO Phil Schermer and ultramarathoner Kelly Chiusano live on TODAY from Hudson Yards. Watch the full interview here.

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‍NBC's Carson Daly, Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy discussed building community and creating positive change for a safer online world for young people. Read more in AP News.

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CNN Anchor Poppy Harlow, Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, and Former Chief Strategist and Senior Advisor to President Obama David Axelrod spoke about personal loss and the importance of ending the stigma on mental health.

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YouTube’s Global Head of Mental Health Jessica Divento Dzuban, Indianapolis Colts Owner & Vice Chair Kalen Irsay Jackson, and national freelance writer Anna Katherine Clemmons shared the role of athletes in changing the conversation around mental health.

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Will Cady, author of the new book Which Way Is North: A Creative Compass for Makers, Marketers, and Mystics, led community members through a free guided meditation session.

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Community members enjoyed a free guided sonic meditation with chimes, singing bowls, and rain sticks at Equinox.

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Project Healthy Minds community members stopped for a photo after their SoulCycle Benefit Ride.

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Our partners at Nespresso were on hand to keep us energized all morning. Thank you Team Nespresso!

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A full house for this powerful conversation with Degen Pener, Deputy Editor of The Hollywood Reporter, and Zak Williams, CEO & Founder of PYM and dedicated mental health advocate. Read Axios’ article about the festival, including Zak’s comments, here.

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Matt Motta, assistant professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Amanda Yarnell, senior director, Harvard School of Public Health’s Center for Health Communication, Kate Speer, creator and mental health advocate, Sasha Hamdani psychiatrist and creator @ThePsychDoctorMD, and Ifelola Ojuri, strategic partner manager at YouTube Health discuss groundbreaking research about creators’ role in mental health campaigns. Read more in The New York Times.

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Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Associate Professor Joe Allen and psychiatrist Dr. Sasha Hamdani explained how healthy air makes for healthy minds.

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Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff kicked off the Project Healthy Minds gala, underlining the urgency and importance of creating new solutions to the mental health crisis.

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NBC’s Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly, and Savannah Guthrie walked the red carpet together.

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Peter Tunney, Artist and Curator and Founder of Peter Tunney Experience at the Wynwood Walls, revealed his new mental health-themed collection, Invincible Summer, at the gala.

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Singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot and his choir surprised the crowd with an incredible performance of “I’ll Be Waiting”.

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Project Healthy Minds Board Member Carson Daly gave a heartfelt speech about his own personal mental health journey. Watch here.

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Gala guests celebrated a new era of mental health.

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A quick break for the stunning flowers and incredible food!

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Our own Phil Schermer presented the Charles Norton Pippin Award for Mental Health to Jeff T. Blau, CEO of Related Companies.

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Chris Norton and Christina Maxwell performed a beautiful rendition of "No One Is Alone".

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Grammy-nominated hip-hop star, songwriter, and record producer Logic lit up the crowd with his music and spoken word performance.

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Thanks to all who joined — and to our partners and sponsors who made the day possible!‍

Interested in attending next year’s festival or gala, or getting your organization involved? Email wmhdfestival@projecthealthyminds.com.

Learn how you can join our movement to confront the mental health crisis and save lives here.

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For press inquiries, please email press@projecthealthyminds.com